42 Months

I think it's safe to say the boys had a pretty good summer. We didn't do everything I had on my 'fun things do do this summer' list, but you have to save something for next year. Right?













We had fun at the zoo, fun with friends close and far, fun with bikes and little skateboards, fun at the park, fun with each other.










One of the themes of the summer was definitely water. Hardly a day went by when they didn't at least try to get the hose. And if they did get the hose when they weren't supposed to, I got to spray them with it. Hey, my hose, my rules! The Bee really loves to be the sprayer, but hates to get sprayed! Even when it's hot out.
We spent a lot of time playing in our backyard, but a lot of time this year riding bikes and playing with chalk and playing with neighbours in the front yard too.

I don't remember anything about the summer I was 3, so I don't suppose these guys will either. Hopefully they'll just remember they had fun, they played a lot, and mom didn't yell too much.

p.s. I did not buy my kids Slurpies. Our neighbour did. But I wasn't going to tell them 'no' when she came over one particularly warm evening. And she knew it! Gotta love summer.

August

Aaaaaahhh August. I actually like it when it's hot and sweaty because then you feel like you've had summer and the cool weather is more welcome. But today was downright chilly at the park this morning. And so this is the end of August. It always makes me a little sad...

We've been super busy the past week or so. And by 'we' I mean 'me' really. I've been to a BBQ, a birthday celebration, 2 baby showers, a day at the zoo and visits with cousins. Whew!
AND I've been making jam. Lots of jam.
I have friends (and you know you who are) who are hard core and make the real kind, but I'm doing freezer jam. SO easy. Who knew little containers of fruit could be so satisfying. I'm feeling a bit addicted...must make more jam!
I've already made blueberry, blueberry strawberry, strawberry peach, and strawberry rhubarb. Taadaa!








So I'm behind on updating and washing my kitchen floor, but all things in time as I try to soak up every last inch of summer.
(I always count the beginning of Sept as still technically summer, but we all know it's not the same)

Birthday Boy

ummm...this was for yesterday...!!
My dad is a handy guy. The handiest. In fact it was quite a shock in my adulthood when I realized that not all men are handy. Not at all.
My dad can fix just about anything. He could give McGyver a run for his money.









He's also the kind of guy who would do anything to help his kids or family or a friend/stranger in need.
He enjoys the outdoors and took my husband for his first kayak ride.
He loves his grandkids and enjoys spending time with them, and they especially like going for 'rides' on various wheeled apparatus. He's not afraid to comfort them when they're upset and he's always up for a cuddle or a hug.

We love you Dad.
Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Feeling Like Inspiration

I think this applies to many creative pursuits, whether with a pen, paintbrush, a camera or even a glue stick...

"...No one can advise or help you–no one. There is only one thing you should do. Go into yourself. Find out the reason that commands you to write; see whether it has spread its roots into the very depths of your heart; confess to yourself whether you would have to die if you were forbidden to write. This most of all: ask yourself in the most silent hour of your night: MUST I write? Dig into yourself for a deep answer. And if this answer rings out in assent, if you meet the solemn question with a strong, simple ‘I MUST,’ then build your life in accordance with this necessity; your whole life, even into its humblest and most indifferent hour, must become a sign and witness to this impulse. Then come close to nature. Then, as if no one had ever tried before, try to say what you see and feel and love and lose."
-Rainer Maria Rilke, February 17th, 1903

via Sara Remington

Circus Of The Sun

Because my husband is not only charming, but super-fantastic, he surprised me with tickets to see Corteo. And because he is spectacularly sensational he insisted on staying home with the kids (at mealtime/bathtime/bedtime) while my sister and I went to see the show.



And it was pure joy as I expected it would be!
There is always something magical about a live performance. We had front row seats, which is an experience unto itself. What we missed in getting an 'overview' we made up in being able to look into the faces of the performers and feel the air move as they rushed onto the stage.
My hubby asked if we could smell them. We totally could. That stage perfumey-make-up smell. Smell-o-vision.
I just love the way the Cirque Du Soleil combines music and dance and theatrics with pure athletic power. The final act was brilliant. It was like watching the beauty of Olympic gymnasts in gorgeous costumes and music and dance with an old man on a bicycle passing overhead.
And it had robots.
Magic!

No cameras are aloud inside the Big Top, so these are a couple of shots from outside.

Flickr Fun

Thanks to Jamie for this fun idea...
This could be addicting! (making mosaics)

The concept:
a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.

The Questions:
1. What is your first name? Lara (this is lego Lara Croft - she kicks butt)
2. What is your favorite food? noodles
3. What high school did you go to? nothing came up so this is a photo from a 'landmark' old motel in town, the Telstar, in Brooks.
4. What is your favorite color? Pink
5. Who is your celebrity crush? McDreamy
6. Favorite drink? Mango lassi
7. Dream vacation? Mediterranean somewhere...
8. Favorite dessert? gelato (today anyway)
9. What you want to be when you grow up? artist
10. What do you love most in life? family
11. One Word to describe you? tired
12. Your flickr name? **twomittens** (this was the ONLY photo that came up...ha

1. Lara Croft, 2. vietnamese noodles, 3. motor inn, 4. vintage tea set with cupcake, 5. Patrick Dempsey in Dolce e Cabbana, 6. Saravanaas - Mango Lassi, 7. roman tavern on the mediteranean HDR, 8. k., 9. The Photographer, 10. bless from above, 11. yawn, 12. twomittens

The Longest Weekend

So we went out to visit Grandma and Grandpa for the long weekend, and then we just never left. We ended up staying for most of the week. The Babe had a terrible fever for a few days and the poor thing was miserable. Once she started to feel a little better The Bee got it. It was really lousy, but everyone survived and we had a really nice, mellow week. It was strangely quite relaxing and we all enjoyed spending time with Grandma and Grandpa.
We did manage to do a few outings. This day The Bee stayed behind and snoozed on Grandma's couch while the rest of us did a little trip to Moraine Lake.











It was really busy but the lake was gorgeous as always.
Thanks to daddy for some of these great shots!

Faeder Lake Kayak

Away for the long weekend! Even if it's cold and the kids are sick, you can still enjoy a long weekend in August...




Boys and boats. We often spend most of our 'water time' in the river (throwing rocks or playing in puddles) when we visit Gamma and Gampa, but we thought we'd try out some calmer water.












The color of Faeder Lake is what you notice first. The clear aqua blues and greens are beautiful and the water is pristine. It looks shallow because you can see the bottom out quite far but it's not.
Daddy thought thought the boys would like to go for a spin.
Boating on the grass has its limitations!
The Bee wasn't quite sure at first, but he thought he's give it a try after The Bug gave his approval. Playing in the water is always fun!